Powstanie Habano Wojtek “War Bear” 2020 Limited Edition
Posted on March 29 2021
Vitola: 6x52 | Smoking Time: 105 min | Cigars Smoked: 4 | Body: Medium | MSRP: $13
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano + Mexican San Andres (barber pole) | Binder: Indonesian | Filler: Nicaraguan
Powstanie (“Poh-stan-yah” — Polish for "uprising") is hand-rolled at Nica Sueño alongside RoMa Craft. The War Bear is named after Wojtek — a real Syrian bear who became a Polish army private in WWII. A slightly altered version of the regular Powstanie Habano.
Visual Inspection: Beautiful barber-pole construction — clean milk chocolate brown with smooth, visually pleasing veins. Well-done longer-than-normal head cap. Aromas: barnyard, hay, apple sweetness, floral rose hints. Cold draw: surprisingly sweet with the same flavors.
First Third: First quarter inch nearly tasteless, then BOOM — absolutely smooth and sweet. Strong apple, cream, and cedar. Retrohale brings the apple sweetness right back. Slight pepper lingers but is overshadowed by sweetness. Perfect white-grey ash that holds over an inch without dropping.
Second Third: Sweetness fades into nuts, cedar, and muted vanilla. Honeysuckle, geranium, and vanilla join. Toasted potato bread appears. Then shifts to cedar, pecan, charred wood, and cold brew coffee. Remarkable burn line throughout. Constant roller coaster of flavor.
Final Third: Growing in body as the dual wrapper shows its strength. Pepper spice becomes more prevalent, met by honeysuckle, vanilla, charred wood, and cream. Always changing, always flavorful.
Final Thoughts: The small stripe of San Andres really adds something unique. Overall a creamy and sweet experience that always has a spot in the daily rotation. Box-worthy without question. Pair with a light coffee or strong woody bourbon.
-Sam
Frequently asked questions
Who or what is Wojtek the War Bear?
Wojtek was a real Syrian brown bear adopted as a mascot by Polish soldiers during WWII. He learned to carry ammunition and became an official private in the Polish Army — a celebrated symbol of Polish military spirit, fitting for the Powstanie brand’s theme.
What does the dual wrapper on the War Bear do?
The small stripe of Mexican San Andres alongside the Ecuadorian Habano main wrapper adds a layer of earthy complexity and subtle sweetness — something that sets the War Bear apart from standard Powstanie releases.
Is 105 minutes a long smoke for a 6x52?
Yes — 105 minutes is an impressive burn for a Toro-sized cigar. The dual wrapper and quality construction contribute to the even, slow burn. At $13 for nearly two hours, the value is exceptional.